Automated Control System For An Electronically Controlled Sway Bar Link

What is this patent about?

’003 is related to the field of vehicle suspension systems, specifically concerning sway bars (also known as anti-roll bars or stabilizer bars). Sway bars are a common component in automobiles designed to reduce body roll during cornering. Traditional sway bar systems provide a fixed level of resistance to body roll, which can be a compromise between stability at higher speeds and ride comfort or off-road articulation at lower speeds. This patent addresses the need for a more adaptable sway bar system that can be adjusted based on driving conditions or driver preference.

The underlying idea behind ’003 is to introduce an electronically controlled connector into the sway bar linkage. This connector allows for the physical connection or disconnection of the sway bar from the vehicle's suspension to be remotely controlled. By selectively disconnecting the sway bar, the vehicle can achieve greater suspension articulation for off-road use or low-speed maneuvering. Conversely, when connected, the sway bar provides increased roll resistance for improved handling during normal or high-speed driving.

The claims of ’003 focus on a sway bar system that includes a sway bar, an electronically controlled connector at one or both ends of the sway bar, and a graphical user interface (GUI) within the vehicle. The GUI allows the driver to remotely connect or disconnect the sway bar based on their needs. A control system receives the user input from the GUI and actuates the electronically controlled connector accordingly. The independent claims cover systems with a single electronically controlled connector as well as systems with two such connectors.

In practice, the system works by replacing the traditional fixed end links of a sway bar with electronically controlled connectors. These connectors can be linear or rotary actuators that, upon receiving a signal from the control system, either engage to rigidly link the sway bar to the suspension or disengage to allow free movement. The driver interacts with the system through the in-cabin GUI, selecting a desired mode (e.g., 'on-road', 'off-road'). The control system then interprets this selection and sends the appropriate signals to the connectors.

This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by offering on-demand control over the sway bar's functionality. Traditional sway bar systems are passive, providing a fixed level of roll resistance. Some prior systems have attempted to provide adjustable damping, but ’003 goes further by enabling complete physical disconnection. This allows for a more significant change in vehicle behavior, optimizing for both on-road stability and off-road capability. The GUI-based control provides a user-friendly interface for managing this functionality.